The men got through it all because they work as a team, Coulter said. He credits the leadership of Fosmoen and lead Randy Westby, who he said helps keep the crews safe, especially when fatigue can lead to mistakes.

Jim Henning is retiring after more than 20 years with the water department.

“I just kept telling myself, 'It's my last winter.' ”

“I'll probably go one more,” Brown said. “I just hope it's not like this one has been.”

The season isn't quite over for the water guys, although the number of emergencies is dwindling with warmer weather. A crew worked all night on East Court Street into April Fool's Day.

“You look back at it and wonder how the hell you did it,” Fosmoen said.